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"If you want to stop, say stand at the same time you stop walking."

"Turn, stand," Jen ordered and stopped in her tracks. The horse stopped and stared at her. "Hey, he did it." Jen grinned over at Taylor.

"Now what are you going to do?" Taylor asked as if she was a teacher.

"Turn, come," she said, giving a whistle of her own as she started walking again. "How about that?"

"Try turning the other way."

Jen was soon leading Turn in figure eights and circles all around the yard, proudly displaying her newfound ability. Taylor sat on the porch, praising her efforts and laughing hilariously at their fun. Twice Jen stopped and patted Turn's neck, something he graciously allowed her to do without fuss.

"Are you having fun?" Taylor asked, noticing Jen's broad and satisfied smile.

"Yes, I am. Can you believe I am actually leading a horse?"

"Next time you stop to pet him, touch his saddle. Grab the saddle horn."

"Why?"

"Just to get a feel of it."

"I know what a saddle feels like, Taylor."

"Okay," Taylor acknowledged, not wanting to push it.

Jen looked back at Turn's saddle then over at Taylor.

"Will he stand still if I touch it?"

"If you tell him to, he will."

"Turn, stand." Jen waited until she was sure he had stopped completely. "Should I drop the reins?"

"No, toss them over his neck. He'll stay there. Come around to his left side, Jen." Taylor watched intently, leaning forward as if she was ready to race to Jen's side if she needed her. "Pat his neck and tell him he's a good boy," Taylor added calmly.

Jen took a deep breath then carefully draped the reins over Turn's neck. She patted his neck, stroking him gently.

"Turn, you're a good boy. Yes, you are. You're going to let me touch your pretty saddle, aren't you? Yes, Turn. You're a good boy." Jen eased her way closer, continuing to stroke his neck with one hand as she reached out and touched the saddle with the other. She folded her fingers around the saddle horn, her eyes darting back and forth between his neck and the saddle. "Good boy, Turn. Good boy," she cooed, calming herself as she reas­sured the horse. Turn's back wasn't much higher than Jen's armpit, so she could see over him, a reassurance in itself. She stroked the leather seat, feeling the tooling and stitching.

"You don't have to keep patting his neck. He knows where you are. He won't move. If he takes a step, just remind him to stand." Taylor's voice was kind and supportive. "Touch the stirrup, too."

Jen examined the saddle from swell to cantle, touching the stirrup and feeling the leather laces strung from the conches.

"You are such a good boy, Turn. Yes, you are," Jen muttered warmly.

"Jen," Taylor said softly. "He won't move one inch if you want to sit on him. All you have to do is hold onto the saddle horn and put your foot in the stirrup." She said it carefully and gently, not wanting it to sound like she had to do it. But Taylor wanted Jen to know it would be all right if this was the time to over at her, tightening her grip on the reins and the saddle horn.

"Come on, Turn," Jen said carefully, coaxing him into motion. She gave a soft whistle, her mouth too dry to give a loud one. Turn took a step, jolting Jen in the saddle but she held on, her shoulders rolled forward protectively.

"All right, Jen. Way to go," Taylor announced enthusiasti­cally.

Jen couldn't look up. Her attention was on the back of Turn's bobbing head as he plodded across the yard in slow but steady steps. Her legs were locked around his middle and her toes were turned inward, spearing his flanks. Jen Holland looked scared to death but she was riding a horse and she had done it all by her­self. She had adjusted the saddle, stepped up on his back and urged him forward. No one, not even Rowdy, could take that moment away from her or diminish its greatness. Taylor smiled broadly at Jen's courage to do it all alone.

"Turn, stand," Jen said, trying out the command to make sure she was still in control. He stopped. She gave a satisfied smile. "Okay, Turn. Come on, let's go," she said, whistling at him.

"If you press your knees into his middle with the command, you don't need the whistle," Taylor offered.

"I like the whistle." Jen sat a little straighter and prouder. "You whistle for Coal. I'll whistle for Turn." She grinned over at Taylor.

Jen walked Turn around the yard, stopping and starting him a dozen times. Taylor instructed her on how to sit and hold her legs in the stirrups to make the ride more comfortable. She wasn't ready to gallop across the range but slowly Jen was able to release the saddle horn and hold onto the reins alone. Taylor explained how to lean the reins against his neck to make him turn and how to guide him with her legs. Turn obliged by walking in a measured pace like a circus horse around a ring.

"Look." Jen pointed toward the pasture gate. "Here comes Lexie and Coal."

"You're fine. Don't get down. Just sit there," Taylor advised as Coal trotted across the yard, blowing air through his nostrils and jerking his head against the reins.

"How did he do?" Taylor called.

"He'd like to take off across the field," Lexie replied, guiding him to the porch. "He's full of vinegar today. You sure need to get back in the saddle, kiddo."

"Yeah, I know."

"Look at you," Lexie said, grinning at Jen. "You look mighty smart up there on old Turn."

"He has agreed to let me ride him," Jen said confidently.

"I think that's a great idea. Anytime you want to ride, you just call and I'll toss a saddle on him."

Coal's energetic hijinks had stirred Turn's attention. He crow-hopped to the side, making Jen grab for the saddle horn.

"Stand, Turn. Stand," Jen said in a firm but kind voice. He stopped and gave his head a shake.

"That's the way, Jen," Lexie said with a chuckle. "Don't let him get away with that stuff." She nodded her respect. "Want me to turn Coal out, Taylor?" she asked as Coal jerked his head and danced in a circle, too excited to stand quietly. Lexie sat in the saddle with the skill of a veteran horsewoman, allowing him to stomp and express his frustration at the short ride.

"Yeah, that's fine," Taylor said. "Behave yourself, Coal. It won't be too much longer."

"Be right back." Lexie gave Coal his lead and let him gallop toward the pasture gate, his tail and mane standing full to the wind.

"And before you even ask, no, I don't want Turn to run across the yard like that," Jen said, watching Coal's spirited flight.

"Next time," Taylor mused.

Jen guided Turn to the porch and stopped him at the bottom of the steps.

"Thank you," Jen said affectionately. "You have no idea how much I appreciate what you did for me today. This was very important to me."

"I didn't do it, Jen. You did it all. You are the one who climbed up on that horse without anyone helping you. I am very proud of you." Taylor reached out and rubbed Turn's nose. "I can't wait for you to tell Rowdy. He'll be very proud of you too. I'm sure of it."

"I hope so. I really hope so. I'm going to see him next week. While you're at the doctor's office having x-rays and getting your casts off, I'm going to the nursing home." Jen's blue eyes flashed brightly and she reveled in her accomplishment.

Chapter 18

"So you think you're hot stuff, don't you?" Taylor teased. Jen's satisfied grin at overcoming her fear of riding a horse had lasted well into the evening.

"Yes, I do," she replied, setting Taylor's dinner on the table then swinging her hips as she returned to the kitchen. "I rode a horse all by myself and I didn't fall off."

"We'll have to get you a cowboy hat and chaps to wear next time."

"And you're sure there will be a next time?" Jen brought her plate to the table along with a bottle of ketchup.

"Absolutely." Taylor applied a ribbon of ketchup to her french fries. "Once you've been in the saddle, there's nothing like it. Well, almost nothing." She dipped one of her fries then held it up for Jen. "I can think of one or two things just as nice." She winked at Jen.

"And what would that be? Roping a steer?" Jen teased. She opened her mouth and took the french fry then wiggled it between her teeth.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot steer roping. Three things then," Taylor agreed happily.

"Taylor!" Jen scoffed, scowling at her. "You rate me with roping a steer? Shame on you."

"We ranchers have our priorities, you know." Taylor leaned over and puckered her lips, expecting a little peck.

"I'm not kissing you until you tell me I'm way, way better than roping a steer," Jen replied, acting indignant about it.

"Do you mean I have to make that decision now? I may need time to think about it."

"Taylor Fleming." Jen glared over at her. "You better tell me right this second or tonight your injection goes right in your keister. No more gentle tummy sticks. I'll haul off and give you such a stab you won't be able to sit on that cheek for a week," Jen squinted at her.

"Okay, let's see here. Jen Holland. Steer roping. Jen Holland. Steer roping," Taylor said, balancing one hand then the other. "Then there's calf branding. That's a goodie too." Taylor shook her head and smiled as she pondered.

"That's it. Stab city for you." Jen went back to eating.

"Could I have a day to think it over?" Taylor asked with a grin.

"No, you may not. It's too late. You had your chance." Jen took a delicate bite and chewed slowly, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. "I don't wish to discuss it further."

"Oh, you don't," Taylor teased, reaching over and poking Jen in the ribs, making her flip a french fry onto the floor.

"Quit it," Jen giggled, reaching for the fry but Picasso got there first. "I'm trying to eat."

"You think so?" Taylor did it again. This time Jen whacked her elbow on the edge of the table, stinging her funny bone.

"You better stop or you'll be sorry, Taylor Fleming," Jen scolded.

"Or what? You already plan on shoving that needle to the bone. What else could you do? Break my legs?" she joked.

"How about this?" Jen declared, wiggling her fingers in the air above Taylor's toes. "How about fair play? You tickle. I tickle." She raised an eyebrow.

"No, Jen. Don't you dare," Taylor replied, holding up a stern hand. "That isn't allowed and you know it."

"Oh, it isn't?" Jen inched her hands closer to Taylor's toes. Taylor stiffened and frantically released the wheel locks, backing away from Jen's fingers.

"Jen, don't do it. I'm warning you." Taylor rolled herself backward across the room, bumping into everything in the way. Jen followed, her fingers wiggling like angry spiders, a devilish look in her eye.

"You're daring me?"

"I didn't dare you," Taylor replied, trying to keep a safe dis­tance between her exposed toes and Jen's fingers. "I warned you not to do it."

"You did too. You said don't you dare." Jen cut off her retreat at the couch, trapping her in the corner. She knelt in front of her and moved maniacally closer.

"Jen, this isn't fair. You have me at a disadvantage and you know it." Taylor turned her chair first one way then the other to keep her feet away from Jen's waving fingers.

"You tickled me and I believe in reciprocity. I think I'll start with your right foot." She looked down at Taylor's toes as they wiggled for mercy. "First the little one. No, I'll do them all at once."

"Jen, no. I'm telling you. Don't do it." Taylor looked genuinely worried, a frown covering her forehead.

"Then the left one, toe by toe," Jen said slowly and fiendishly.

"Jen!" Taylor yelled, sucking in air as she feared the worst.

Jen cackled, sounding like a witch ready to toss a bat's wing into the cauldron. She was being as dramatic as possible, the anxiety of it obviously more torture for Taylor than the actually tickling. Jen held one of the casts around the ankle, ready to apply Taylor's punishment. But before she could tickle even one toe, Taylor grabbed the lariat she had left on the floor by the couch and tossed a loop over Jen, trapping her arms at her side.

"Taylor," Jen squealed as she drew up the slack on the rope. "Let me go."

"I don't think so." She laughed triumphantly.

"Let go. I wasn't really going to tickle you." Jen struggled to free herself but Taylor kept a taut line on her.

"I'm not sure I believe you." Taylor pulled Jen toward her, slowly closing the distance between them.

Jen finally quit struggling and allowed her to pull her in.

"You stinker, you," she chuckled.

Taylor kept the rope tight around Jen's arms until she had her sitting on her lap. She then loosened it and lifted it over her head.

"I guess I was wrong," Taylor said softly, running her fingers through Jen's hair. "You are much better than steer roping."

"I'm glad you finally think so," Jen whispered, draping her arms around Taylor's neck. "I'd hate to have to wait for spring roundup to get another chance at you."

"You won't have to wait," Taylor replied then pulled Jen to her and kissed her.

"Remember earlier today you asked me if I loved you," Jen said softly.

"Yes, I remember."

"Ask me again."

"I don't want to rush you, Jen," Taylor replied.

"Ask me," she repeated, gazing deep into Taylor's eyes.

Taylor smiled slowly, enjoying the tenderness in Jen's blue eyes.

"Do you love me?" she asked in a whisper.

"Oh, yes. I do love you, Taylor. I thought I shouldn't allow myself to have these feelings for you. I thought it would be wrong for us to fall in love when you are the patient and I am the nurse but I can't help it. I love you so much. All I think about is being in your arms. I need you, Taylor, like I have never needed anyone in my life."

Jen responded with urgent kisses of her own, devouring Taylor's mouth, eagerly taking in her tongue. Through their frenzied moans and sighs, their hands were groping for nipples and breasts. At the same time, they tugged at each other's shirts.

"Yours first," Taylor muttered, not wanting to waste a moment of their kiss.

"No, yours," Jen argued, smothering Taylor's mouth with her own again and again. "I need yours off. I need to touch you."

"Knock, knock. Anyone here?" Lexie called from the back door.

Taylor gasped, rearranging her shirt while Jen did the same and scrambled off Taylor's lap.

"In here," Jen replied, wiping her mouth and straightening her hair. She put on a smile and tried to look innocent. Taylor tugged at her shirt, trying to cover herself.

"Get my towel," she whispered urgently, pointing to her lap towel that had been pushed to the floor. Jen quickly grabbed it and spread it across Taylor's lap just as Lexie strode into the room.

"Good evening, troops," Lexie announced, studying their strange expressions. "Did I interrupt anything?" She gave a coy smile.

"No, I was just showing Jen how we rope a steer," Taylor said, pointing to the rope at Jen's feet.

"Yes, Taylor was showing me how to rope," Jen agreed.

"Good," Lexie replied, trying to hide a snicker. "But next time you are teaching Jen something you might want to close the curtains," she added, pointing to her truck just outside the window. Taylor and Jen both immediately blushed bright red.

"I was just—" Taylor stammered, trying to find some excuse for what Lexie probably saw.

"Here. Sign these, motor mouth," Lexie said, chuckling. "Your dad asked me to bring them over. He's over at Cesar's trying to figure out why the straw count is off by a couple hundred."

"What are these? Registration papers?" Taylor asked, taking the brown envelope from her and pulling out a stack of papers.

"Yep. He's sending them in tomorrow."

"What's a straw?" Jen asked.

"A tube of bull semen," Taylor replied, looking over the papers. "A-One's straws are worth five grand a pop."

"Wow. Each?" Jen replied, completely surprised. "I bet my dad never bought any of those."

Taylor smiled up at her.

"Hey, it sounds like a lot but if you get a bull calf out of a champion like A-One, he'll grow up to be worth a lot in stud services or for semen collection," Lexie offered. "By the way, that bull calf you wanted us to watch is filling out nicely. I think he's got the looks you want, Taylor." Lexie had gone into her ranch talk.

Jen took this opportunity to clear the table then go upstairs for a shower. She knew she carried the aroma of her horse ride, leather and sweat.

"You two have fun talking about bull semen. I'm going to take a shower," she said, starting up the stairs.

"Sorry I came busting in on you tonight, Jen," Lexie said.

"That's okay," she replied. "Taylor was getting overheated anyway." She winked then hurried up the steps.

"Hey," Taylor grumbled in the direction of the stairs but it was too late. Jen was gone. Taylor looked up at Lexie and was greeted with a wide grin. "Oh, shut up."

"I didn't say anything," Lexie declared, trying to keep from laughing out loud.

"Get me a pen so I can sign these."

Lexie produced one from her shirt pocket. Taylor quickly scribbled her signature and returned the papers to the envelope.

"Here," she said, pushing it at Lexie. "Now you can go and take that stupid grin with you." Taylor rolled herself into the kitchen and opened the back door.

"You know, I have to say I did like the shirt thing you two were doing," Lexie said as she walked out the door. She turned back to Taylor, unable to control her laughter any longer. "Yep, I'll have to remember that move." She laughed so hard tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Very funny," Taylor replied and closed the door. When she got back into the dining room, Lexie was standing at the window, still chuckling at her. Taylor flipped her the bird then closed the curtains. Lexie pulled away, honking her horn just so she could tease Taylor one last time. Taylor couldn't help but smile. It wasn't a tragedy that Lexie had seen them kissing and groping. Embarrassing for Jen, perhaps, but they were adults and they weren't hiding anything. At least now Taylor didn't have to stumble over her words to explain to Lexie how she felt about Jen.

Taylor went to the stairs and listened. She could hear the shower running. That meant she had about ten minutes before Jen would be finished. Taylor knew her evening routine. She would shower, blow dry her hair, dress in her robe, the one with the pink rosebuds on it, then come bouncing down the stairs to watch some television. And ten minutes was just the right amount of time for Taylor to get ready for her, if she hurried.

Taylor wheeled herself from room to room as she made preparations for Jen's return then went into her bathroom for a quick sink bath of her own. She worked like a woman possessed and finished just as Jen opened the bathroom door at the top of the stairs.

"What happened to the lights? Is the power out down there?" Jen asked, buttoning her robe as she descended the stairs.

"Nope, but we're having candlelight tonight," Taylor said, waiting for her at the bottom of the steps.

"Is Lexie still here?"

"No." She smiled and took Jen's hand. "I thought we'd try this again but with the curtains closed."

"Oh, Taylor, look at this," Jen gasped, looking into the candle-filled living room. "When did you do all this, sweetheart?"

"I'm lucky. You take long showers." Taylor led her into the room. Jen followed, looking at the cozy love nest she had cre­ated. Taylor had arranged every pillow and cushion she could find into a palette on the floor then covered it with a blanket. Two wine glasses filled with apple juice were waiting on the coffee table and there was something soft playing on the stereo. Candles flickered from every table, bathing the room in a sensual glow.

"What is this?" Jen asked, picking up a dish of lemon wedges. "Are we having iced tea?"

"I didn't have any smelly potpourri stuff so I made some."

Jen took a whiff and closed her eyes, sighing at the sweet aroma.

"That's lovely, Taylor. What is it? What did you put on the lemons?"

"Vanilla. But I can take it away if you don't like it," Taylor replied, ready to do whatever Jen asked of her.

"It's wonderful. Thank you. You went to a lot of work, didn't you?" Jen came to Taylor and kissed her cheek.

"Could you do one little thing for me?"

"What is it, pussycat?"

"Help me with that," Taylor said, pointing to the lift hidden in the corner. "I want us to be down there on the floor, together.

I want you in my arms and I want to feel your body against mine."

A twinkle came to Jen's eye.

"Yes, I most certainly can," Jen whispered then scurried over to get it. The time it took to scoop Taylor from the wheelchair, roll her into position and lower her onto the palette couldn't diminish their excitement and anticipation. As soon as she was arranged and supported on the floor, Jen was at her side, her robe open and her body molded against Taylor's as they kissed.

"You don't know how much I wish I could run up those stairs to you," Taylor said, her hands flowing over Jen's back.

"Do you know how many nights I stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out how to get you up there?" Jen replied, licking Taylor's neck then nibbling at her ear. She pulled Taylor's shirt over her head and tossed it aside. Taylor peeled Jen's robe off her shoulders in a slow striptease.

"Tonight we will be together. Tonight all my wishes come true."

"And what wishes are those?" Jen slipped her hand down to Taylor's mound and tugged at her hair.

"Tonight it is just us, two women in love. Not a nurse and a patient. Tonight I am whole and strong for you," Taylor whis­pered. "And tonight you will feel a hot Texas wind caress your body."

"Melt me, baby. Melt me." Jen wrapped a leg over Taylor's hips, opening herself to Taylor's touch.

"I want to taste you, sweet woman," Taylor whispered as she applied kisses down Jen's neck and across her shoulders. Jen moaned and arched her back as Taylor's tongue found her nipple.

"I want that too." Jen could barely speak. The time for conversation was over. Her body was demanding more. She wanted to feel Taylor's hot breath on her tender folds. She wanted to scream out in ecstasy as Taylor drew every drop of passion from her body. She wanted to lay in Taylor's arms as sweat covered their bodies and their hearts pounded in unison.

"Come up here," Taylor said, guiding her to kneel straddling her head, facing the casts. Jen took her position, gently offering herself to Taylor. The first hot touch of Taylor's tongue sent a shiver through her and she groaned guttural sounds.

"Oh, baby," Jen gasped, her body tingling. She leaned forward onto her hands and knees.

Taylor folded her arms around Jen's hips and pulled her closer, her tongue as artistic as Jen's skillful hands. Jen gently pushed the casts apart just enough and lowered her mouth onto Taylor's waiting nub. Taylor gasped, tightening her grip on Jen's hips. She hadn't expected Jen to make love to her. More often than not, she was the one who made love to women but went home without. She learned to not always expect reciprocation. With Jen's hot breath heating her dormant volcano, it wouldn't be long before Taylor felt an eruption that was going to blow the roof off. Taylor tried to concentrate on what she was doing but it was hard. She wanted to take care of Jen's need but her own growing spasms blurred her mind. She felt her tongue swell in her throat and she could barely breathe. Taylor held tight to Jen as she felt her own orgasm nearing. She increased her pace on Jen's throbbing spur, forcing her tongue to complete its task before she had to scream out in ecstasy.

Jen moaned and flexed in response to her own orgasm. Taylor wanted to take her mouth away long enough to tell Jen to hurry but she knew better than to deny someone their pleasure at a crucial moment. Instead she dug her fingers into Jen's hips, holding on for dear life. The harder she held to Jen, the faster Jen's tongue flicked. Sweat was running down Taylor's forehead. Hold on, she told herself. Hold on just another minute. Don't climax. Please, wait. But she couldn't contain the powerful shockwave racing to the surface. Taylor curled her toes into a tight ball and her bottom clenched as her orgasm exploded within her. As the hot passion roared through her body, she extended her tongue deep into Jen, feeling her chamber contract and her nub pulse wildly. Jen kept her mouth against Taylor until she felt her body relax. Taylor groaned, dropping her exhausted arms and struggling to catch her breath. Jen crawled up next to Taylor and cuddled against her side.

"Oh, sweetheart. I've never felt anything so incredible in my whole life," Jen cooed. "I felt like you were a very part of me."

Taylor held Jen against her, kissing her temple.

"Please don't laugh, but that was a first for me," Jen sighed, nuzzling Taylor's neck.

"I'm not laughing at anything, baby." Taylor heaved a satisfied sigh.

"I read in a magazine that is supposed to be better than sex on satin sheets."

"Sweetheart, for a minute you had me forgetting I had casts on my legs." She hugged Jen close.

Chapter 19

Taylor wanted to sleep on the floor with Jen in her arms all night but her casts wouldn't cooperate. Jen finally convinced Taylor to sleep in her room, even though they couldn't both fit in the single hospital bed. Jen used the lift to transfer her to the bed then kissed Taylor good night.

"See you in the morning, sweetheart," Jen whispered and turned out the light. Taylor assumed Jen would go upstairs to bed but she slept on the couch, curled up with the blanket they had used, a contented smile on her face. She wanted to be near Taylor.

"I sure wish Taylor's big bed was downstairs," Jen muttered to herself just before she fell asleep.

The next morning, Jen peeked in Taylor's room as the sun rose over the pasture. Taylor's eyes were already open and waiting for her. Taylor held out her hand and Jen came to her, inching her way onto the side of the bed.

"Hello," Taylor said, kissing her. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept away from you, that's how I slept and I didn't like it." Jen stroked Taylor's arm, remembering the passion and the tenderness from last night.

"I didn't like it either. I missed you." Taylor pulled Jen against her.

They snuggled together watching the sunrise climb across the bedroom window. No sooner than the sun's rays found their way onto the bed than Picasso jumped up and wedged his way between them, searching for sunshine.

"Hey, Angus. You want up here too?" Taylor teased, stroking his fluffy tail.

"Picasso," Jen corrected, pretending to be critical.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14